Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa

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Tales of Transformation:

Totapuri Asked the disciple (Ramanakrishma) to withdraw his mind from

all objects of the relative world, including the gods and goddesses,

and to concentrate on the Absolute. But the task was not easy even

for Sri Ramakrishna. he found it impossible to take his mind beyond

Kali, the Divine Mother of the Universe. "After the initiation, "Sir

Ramakrishna later said, describing the event, " Nangta began to teach

me the various conclusions of Advaita Vedanta and asked me to

withdraw the mind completely from all objects and dive deeply into

Atman. But in spite of all my attempts I could not altogether cross

the realm of name and form and bring my mind to the unconditioned

state. I had no difficulty in taking the mind form all the object of

the world. But the radiant and all too familiar figure of the

Blissful Mother, the Embodiment of the essence of Pure Consciousness,

appeared before me as a living reality. her bewitching smile prevented

me from passing into the Great Beyond. Again and again I tried , but

she stood in my way every time. In despair I said to Nangta: 'It is

hopeless, I cannot raise my mind to the unconditioned state and come

face to face with Atman.' He grew excited and sharply said: 'What?

You can't do it? But you have to.' He cast his eyes around. Finding a

piece of glass he took it up and stuck it between my eyebrows.

'Concentrate the mind on this point!' he thundered. Then with stern

determination I again sat to meditate. As soon as the gracious form

of the Divine Mother appeared before me, I used my discrimination at

a sword and with it clove her in two. The last barrier fell. My

spirit as once soared beyond the relative plane, I lost myself in

samadhi."

From Swami Nikhilananda, The Gospel of Sri Ramankrishna

Reprinted in this magazine.

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